AQHA World Show Qualifying in Barrel Racing

Earn a golden globe in barrel racing at the 2025 Nutrena AQHA and Adequan® Select World Championship Shows.

AQHA offers several ways for barrel racers to qualify for the 2025 Nutrena and Adequan® Select World Championship Shows.

barrel racing at AQHA world show

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May 19, 2022 | News and Publications , Timed Events | Timed / Speed events , World shows , Barrel racing

Dreamed of bringing home the prestigious golden globe? AQHA offers several ways for barrel racers to qualify for the 2024 Nutrena and Adequan® Select World Championship Shows. Learn more about how to qualified for the Nutrena AQHA and Adequan® Select World Championship Shows and make your dream reality.

The qualifying period is from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025.

How to Get Qualified

Earn the required number of qualifying points at AQHA-approved events. Bonus: Qualifying this way gets added to your horse’s permanent record! Not sure which division you are eligible for? Check out this blog to learn more about divisions and levels.
- Junior Barrel Racing: 1.5 open points for Level 3 | 0.5 open point for Level 2
- Senior Barrel Racing: 2.5 open points for Level 3 | 1 open point for Level 2
- Amateur Barrel Racing: 2 amateur points for Level 3 | 1 amateur point for Level 2
- Select Amateur Barrel Racing: 1 point age 50-69 | 0.5 point age 70 or older
Participate in four AQHA-approved events during the qualifying period. AQHA events encompass all judge numbers for a particular show or circuit. For example, the Arizona Sun Circuit is considered one event, even though it includes eight sets of points. This qualifying method will not be added to the horse’s permanent AQHA record.
Pay a higher entry fee to enter. Open Level 3 classes will require a $7,500 nomination fee per class, while amateur and Select amateur Level 3 classes will require a $5,000 nomination fee per class. Open Level 2 classes will require a $5,000 nomination fee per class, while amateur and Select amateur Level 2 classes will require a $3,500 nomination fee per class. That money will be added back to purse in the respective class with a portion of this buy-in fee retained by AQHA.

Looking for events near you? Find a show near you or encourage the producers in your area to add AQHA barrel racing classes to their events!

Direct Qualifying

The top 10 1D American Quarter Horses in the following barrel racing events will be invited to compete at the 2025 Nutrena AQHA World Show. Direct qualifying invitations are specific for the 2025 Nutrena AQHA World Championship Show. Invitations are for junior or senior classes, which are based on the age of the horse at qualification. Competitors who receive an invitation will be responsible for entry fees to the 2025 Nutrena AQHA World Championship Show. To be eligible for the direct qualifying invitation, competitors must enter and follow all rules associated with the qualifying events.